A Tough Year Ahead for Tourist Boats in Dalmatia

April 21, 2020- The coronavirus pandemic is causing significant damage to all segments of the Croatian economy, with the tourism sector among the most affected. For tourist boats in Dalmatia, this year will be especially tough.

Dalmatinski Portal writes that in proportion to the number of new ships on the market, the number of passengers in the traffic of tourist boats increased from year to year, and according to the data of the port of Split, the third-largest in the Mediterranean, the number of passengers increased by 20% last year. This growth was expected this year, when an estimated 15 new tourist vessels were to sail in Split-Dalmatia County and five more from other coastal counties.

“At the moment, in the situation caused by the coronavirus, Dalmatian tourist boat companies are struggling to keep their reservations so far as they are being postponed to future dates, and by subscribing to Government measures and agreements with banks, regarding the extremely large loans that are a condition for building, renovating and preparing boats for the season, they are trying to overcome this difficult and uncertain period,” says the President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy – Split County Chamber Joze Tomas, where the headquarters of the National Association of Tourist Boaters of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce is. According to the information received from the boat owners, the works on boats under construction have been stopped.

The President of the Association of Tourist Boaters of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Ante Rakuljić, emphasizes that these boats are a real Croatian product, from construction and equipping to servicing in Croatian shipyards, employment of almost exclusively Croatian seafarers and supply of local food and Croatian products. Therefore, boating companies hope that their needs will be met and that banks will have an understanding and approve a moratorium on loans for a minimum of one year. For boat owners not in credit obligations, this situation will force them to take out loans to cover current liabilities and retain their workforce.

Like the rest of the business world, small tourist boat companies are keeping a close eye on the situation and are adjusting their plans day by day. A problematic business year and a possible complete absence of the season for boaters is certain. Unless the full return is possible, tourist boat companies believe that they will be able to adapt to new business conditions in terms of maintaining distance and hygiene, but this will require additional changes and investments, which means new responsibilities and reduced capacity and number of passengers.

At the moment, they are at a standstill. The current loss is also confirmed by one of the leading travel agencies in Croatia, the Katarina line, known precisely for cruising the Adriatic in luxury ships, which during normal circumstances, would have already been 15 days into the season, welcomng the first guests and groups.

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

 

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